Christmas Table Runner and Some Beginner Quilting

Christmas table runnerThis Christmas table runner is a good project for those trying to learn quilting and it is also my way of getting to know my new sewing machine.  Many of you have followed my battles with my Juki.  Well, those days are over, I'm happy to say, thanks to a birthday present from my husband.  I'll tell you more about the new machine in a subsequent post but suffice it to say, the Juki has seen its last days.

Christmas table runnerBut for now, I have decided to make a project that will allow me to get to know the machine while practicing my quilting skills.  If you're interested in learning more about quilting, don't miss our article about Beginner Quilting.

Beginner Quilting

This Christmas table runner is a simple design I got from last summer trip to Eastern Europe in the lovely country of Lithuania.  I saw the table runner in a shop dedicated to Santa Claus and all things Christmas.  The owner of the shop was sewing a table center with a very old mechanical machine.  I asked her how she made it and she was very happy to explain.  She said it was an old pattern that her grandmother had taught her and so it was a common thing to sew if you are just starting at quilting.

Christmas table runnerThe table runner has three flowers.  I have used two different colors of fabric, golden white on one side and red on the other.

The measurement of this Christmas table runner is 41″ X 15″.

Materials

  • 2 yards of quilting cotton for the primary color
  • 2 yards of quilting cotton to contrast
  • Light cotton cover polyester thread to match
  • Lightweight batting
  • 3 cover buttons on white

Tools

Fabric Recommendations for the Christmas table runner

Pattern Layout

Christmas table runner

Pattern Download

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Download the Pattern

The FREE sewing pattern along with detailed PDF instructions are available on Payhip.

You can download it FREE there.

 

How to print the pattern

We do not ask you to download any additional program other than Adobe Reader which is completely FREE.

Use Adobe Reader to download and open the patterns, to print your pattern size, print on Actual Size and Landscape form.  Do not scale the pattern.

How to make the Christmas table runner

The table runner is laid out in three parts that I will call flowers.  Each flower is composed of 12 petals.  Four of the petals are going to be made by sewing the circles together while the other 8 are sewn separately.

Christmas table runner

Step One: Cutting the pieces

You will have to cut the following amount of pieces:

  • 12 round circles in red
  • 12 round circles in white
  • 12 round circles in light batting
  • 24 red petals
  • 24 white petals
  • 24 light batting petals

Step Two:  Assembling the petals and circles

The assembling of the petals and the circles is the same.  To expedite this project I suggest you assemble all components before starting to sew them together into the runner.

You will need three pieces per petal shown below. Christmas table runner

  1. Place one piece of batting on the table.
  2. On top of the batting, place a light color petal print side up.
  3. Place a red petal print side down on top of the white petal.
  4. Repeat the same procedure on all 24 petals.

The order of the layers is important as you'll see when we turn the components leaving the batting inside.

The procedure is the same for the circles and you will also need three pieces

 Christmas table runnerStep Three: Assembling and sewing the flowers.

The seam allowance for all pieces is 3/8″ (1cm).  Leave a 1.5″ (4 cm) on the circles andChristmas table runner 1″ (2.5 to 3cm) gap on the petals to turn print side out.Christmas table runnerTrim the seam allowance by half.Christmas table runnerTurn print side out and pin and sew using a hand needle and thread close the gap.Christmas table runnerYou will need 12 circles and 24 petals to make a 3-flower Christmas table runner.Christmas table runner

Step Four: How to sew the flowers

The flower is made by sewing together four circles and 8 petals.

Following your pattern, you will see a square in the middle.  The square is the stitching line.  Transfer the square to the circles with a washable fabric marker or tailor's chalk.

Take two circles red sides together, sew on side of the square. Christmas table runnerRepeat with all the 12 circles, you should have 6 pairs.Christmas table runner

Take two pairs, pin and sew the bottom of the square. Christmas table runnerChristmas table runnerMake three clusters of flowers. Christmas table runnerWhite sides together, sew on the red side joining two clusters. Christmas table runnerThe table runner should look like this. Christmas table runnerAdd the last cluster the same way as above by joining white sides together and sewing on the red side. Christmas table runner

Step Five: Add the petals

Add eight petal for every flower, two on each side. You can sew the petals using a hand needle or your machine. Christmas table runnerSew petal leaving space for the other one. Christmas table runnerSew the other petal next to it. Fold back the first petal to be able to sew the next one. Christmas table runner

Step Six: Add the cover buttons

I have covered the buttons with the white fabric, but you can choose any other kind of fabric.  If you want to learn how to make fabric covered buttons this tutorial is very easy to follow.

Christmas table runnerI have taken my time with this project because I have a new sewing machine that I need to learn to use and the only way I can do that is by having a reason to use it.  It is a very complicated machine and I will be showing you when I unboxed it in a future post.

Until next time!  Please feel free to share your comments below!  


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Charnette Cantagallo
Charnette Cantagallo

I have downloaded the pattern but the sizes a the size of dessert plates. Making this TOO small what size exactly is the circle?

Nina
Nina

What is the size of the circles in this tutorial? I am getting ready to do this piece, and already have the fabric.

Gladys
Gladys

I Just follow the instructions to download the pattern and nothing happened the page was in white screen and nothing the pattern

Debbie Miller
Debbie Miller

I love this table runner and downloaded the pattern. I did not, however, received the instructions for sewing. Can you forward those to me, please.

Stella Casale
Stella Casale
Reply to  Debbie Miller

I bought the pattern, but no instructions came with it’ Please email them to me. thank you

Lily Kamikihara
Lily Kamikihara

Beautiful pattern. Thank you for sharing. I made a few changes based on my preferences. I topstitched each piece. I also appliqued a circle instead of a button (yellow french knots might look nice…) and I only used 4 instead of 8 petals on the outside flowers. I plan to do another runner but use blues because this pattern make me of water lilies. Thank yuu again.

Jane Jansen
Jane Jansen

I have downloaded the instructions, however I couldn’t find the size of the circle, if you could email me with the size of the circle and the height and width of the additional petal please. I’m making the table runner for my daughter for her first Christmas in her new home. Thank you in advance.

Lynne
Lynne

I love this pattern. Thank you for sharing it!

Carol
Carol

Thank you for the pattern, your chosen fabrics are lovely and compliment this table runner beautifully. Have a wonderful Christmas. ????????‍????

Pat Woodward
Pat Woodward

Hi,
Wondering why you don’t press or topstitch any of your completed circles or petals? Would it not be a nicer finish?

Anna R.
Anna R.

Thank You very much for this terrific runner. Good luck with your new machine.

Robin
Robin

How do you connect the 3 pedals to make one long runner?

Maile Lakely
Maile Lakely

Hubby and I didn’t want to drag down all the decorations this year as we’ll be on our own. I saw this runner and will be making one for the dining table and coffee table…it wil be perfect! I think I will put a plain circle insert (so there will be 5 circles) so I have a flat surface to put a center piece on. Thanks for sharing!

Karen Obolsky
Karen Obolsky

When you sew the 3 sections with white sides together you have petals on what is now the bottom of the runner. Do you cut them off so there is no extra fabric on the botom?
Thanks so much!

Nan
Nan
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

I think the confusion is in the directions to sew with white side facing and sew on the red. You can’t sew on the red and expect the red to fold over to the white front, it will fold over the white to the red back.

Marilyn Hensz
Marilyn Hensz

I can’t wait to make this for gifts. So pretty!

Can you tell me the size if square? My printer won't print it out in landscape
Can you tell me the size if square? My printer won't print it out in landscape
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

can you please tell me the size of squares that are in the circle? I am having printer problems the width of petals at widest point and length would also help! Thank You

MaryM
MaryM

Great pattern but…

The image that is beneath “Sew the other petal next to it. Fold back the first petal to be able to sew the next one.” shows only 1 petal and does not show the ‘next’ petal next to the first one.

I used to proof-read documents in my job so I get a bit anal when I’m reading, especially if it’s something I really like. 😀

Thanks for sharing this pattern!

Lori Postlethwait
Lori Postlethwait

I paid to download this pattern. I got the pattern pieces, but no instructions. When I tried to print the instructions shown on your website, each page was ruined by a large ad. I need the instructions please. This is for the Christmas table runner.

Christine
Christine

I really love the look of this. Can’t wait to get some fabric and start the project

Shannon K Denbow
Shannon K Denbow

This is such a beautiful runner. Thank you for sharing. I love it!

ROBIN L FARLEY
ROBIN L FARLEY

Hi Myra, I purchased the pattern but I can’t get it to download on my iPad. Can you help me ?
Thank you
Robin

Lynne Ryan
Lynne Ryan

Thank you for your lovely Christmas Table Runner

HILARY
HILARY

That looks delightful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Barb McKillop
Barb McKillop
Reply to  HILARY

Thank you for sharing this free table runner pattern. Can’t wait to make it. On my way to pick out fabric …????????

Kaye Helm
Kaye Helm

Thank you so much.

Barb McKillop
Barb McKillop
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

I have a quick question about the runner. The picture that is shown looks like it is a good size. Can you tell me what size your circles are.
I did print out the templates and the 2” square is accurate.
Thanks for your time.????????

Barb McKillop
Barb McKillop
Reply to  Kaye Helm

Sorry if I am asking too many questions.
I am making your beautiful poinsettia table runner.
I have sent two other emails.
Can you tell me the measurement on the circles.
If this is not allowed just let me know…
If I don’t hear from you I will assume they are not allowed
Thank you for your time.

Virginia
Virginia

Thank you. I want to try my hand at quilting. I like machine embroidery and sewing, but have not tried quilting. This pattern looks like a good one to start with. Thanks!

Jane Saunders
Jane Saunders

Love the runner. Will be making several for different times if the year. How did you finish the back? Did you task down the ovals or does sewing the 2 petals hold them enough?
Thanks for the pattern.

Barb McKillop
Barb McKillop
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

When adding the 8 petal’s do you sew down the centre to the tip.
Thank you ????

Elizabeth Sawyer
Elizabeth Sawyer

Is there a template or size for the circle and the pedals>

Joan
Joan

Absolutely stunning! Perfect for holiday gift giving (except for the one I keep for myself!) Just might have to do this today! Such great directions. Thank you

Shirley
Shirley

I made this pattern 3 or so years ago. It’s beautiful but was quite laborious! Was worth it though. I wouldn’t consider it a beginner’s project though and I’ve been quilting and sewing for decades.

Karen
Karen

Thanks for sharing the pattern.

Glenda F Roy
Glenda F Roy

I made this for my niece for Christmas a few years ago when you shared it. It was not too difficult and turned out beautifully. Even better, she’d been wanting something for her table, so my gifting her with the table runner was just the perfect coincidence!

Catherine Couty
Catherine Couty

Merci pour ce très bel ouvrage

Betty Sue Hargrive
Betty Sue Hargrive

I can’t get pattern to download. Give me measurements for circle and pattern or measurements for petals.

Jean Andersen
Jean Andersen

I love this pattern. Very beautiful. I do have a question regarding the seam allowance. For the circles 3/8 worked beautifully. I also used that seam allowance for the petals, but they seem to be a bit narrow. Should I have used just 1/4 inch for those?

Thank you.

Jean Andersen
Jean Andersen
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Yes, I used 2 per side. They turned out a bit narrower than the petals made from sewing the circles together. When I make this again, I will use just a bit smaller seam allowance.
Thank you.

Nola
Nola
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

When joining the 3 sets of 4. Do we end up with bulk on the underside.

carol schorr
carol schorr
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

I think there is bulk when you join each flower together. From the picture I am not sure of any other way to join them. Could you clarify?

Fareeha Khan
Fareeha Khan

Really enjoyed while reading this blog and it was very much interesting as well. I appreciate the efforts of the writer.

Loretta Griffin
Loretta Griffin

Do you have to add a seam allowance or is it already included….

Carol Andrews
Carol Andrews

Good morning. Totally silly question here but with regards to the placement of the square. What is the best way to get this centred as my square is larger than my circle not that I have sewn it together. I love this pattern but im fairly new to sewing so its a learning curve.

Jen Maughan
Jen Maughan

My first attempt, love the pattern and had so many positive responces. I’m going to make a couple a smaller ones only using four circles and eight leaves. I used a dinner plate for the template and measured the leaves off that
Hope I’ve managed download a photo

Ann chilles
Ann chilles

You incease the pattern 200%

Marli
Marli

Hello!
I want to start on this table runner as well. Question is, what batting should I use?
Here in Germany where I am located it is possible to get „Vlieseline“ in different thickness. What thickness would you recommend? It varies in cm, like 0,2; 0,5; 1cm and so on.
Could I use some spare cotton scraps as a batting? Or plain cotton fabric?
My main fabrics are also cotton with a nice christmas print in white and red (because I like your design so much :P).

Unlike the previous poster I had no issues with printing it.. on paper it seems round and good.

Thanks in advance for your answer!
Yours, Marli

Marli
Marli
Reply to  Mayra Cecilia

Hello Mayra,
Thanks a lot for your reply! You were right, the thickness of a layer of plain cotton was too little, so I went ahead and bought some really cheap and thin fleece-blankets (like 2,50€ each, so really cheap) and cut them. They are perfect!

Also I used google to translate “2 yards” and it converted to 2m… Well, now I have 2 meters of esch fabric which is unused because to make 2(!) table runners, I needed 2m of each fabric. Oh well, I already have some projects in mind for this nice Christmas fabric 😛

After cutting out the Pattern I too measured the Site of the box and it was uneven, so not rectangular (?) all sided exactly the same lenght. I tried around and came to the conclusion, that If one is to put a perfect square inside, the circle wont be a circle any longer. So I measured around again and used and cut the circle at the black line but put a seam allowance on the petals. It should work out now. Im exited to sew it!

Greetings from cold Germany
Marli

Linda L.
Linda L.

For people trying to figure out what the 1, 2 and 3 on the pattern are, those are the page numbers for the printed pattern. When you print it out, you will assemble them with 1 at the top left, 2 at the top right and 3 at the bottom left below 1. That gives you the whole ‘circle’ on 1 & 3 and the petal on 2.
When you have them lined up properly, you should have 3/4 of a small, shaded circle at the point where the three pages come together.

Mayra, I really like this design – it’s unusual while still ‘traditional’ so will fit in with a lot of homes. I’m trying another way of putting it together and, if it works, I’ll pass it on. Meanwhile, I’ve made it twice for gifts and I know they will love it!

K-Lee
K-Lee

Okay, I was able to reprint the pattern and chose ‘Actual Size’ on the print window. The test square is now a perfect 2″ square. The circle has a diameter of 9 3/4″. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the ‘square’ inside the circle is not a square – it is a rectangle. Is there any reason why you wanted it that way? It seems to make more sense to have it a square so that all the petals will be the same size. I will have to re-size the individual petals so they will match the petals that will be created by sewing the circles together.
So that’s how I’m going to adjust the pattern. Does that sound reasonable to you? I’ll let you know how it works out.